- , ::-' ,- :: : - -=== = = --- .---- "-' - _. . . - I.. ------==- ____ , . ___ . - -- - - ---- -- .... . . -..... ....... .1 I., I. ",,- [" .'(.,. "2'$':... ;;".,. , \ ( ( 'r- I I - \ , . I. . ........-=- .- ....... ...-- ...... . - .... - , - ( .. J , I -r.. -' "" 3 .:;. --;- -""">- ... ;.-. - --...... .. ::\. 1 1 HJ '. .. !- I. i\ , .. ,."....., - ill -. , -<==>.-- -- '" -- , .......... __ --J- 1 . I ' Andrew Moore's new show ofphotographs at the Yancey Richardson gallery, in Chelsea, includes "Motherland, Kiev" (2003). DANCES BY PHIL GROSSER The Philadelphia-based choreographer brings well- constructed dances and a company of eight to the Joyce SoHo. "Four Songs by Henry Purcell" is Mark Morris-like, not only in its use of Baroque music but also in its pastoral lyricism, comple- mented by a touch of irreverence. A quick, bright duet to Bach and a blues-tinged solo to Wayne Shorter flank the première of "Embers," which draws an innocence-to-maturity theme from Shosta- kovich's String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor. (155 Mercer St. 212-334-7479. Jan. 11-13 at 8.) CLARE BYRNE DANCE "Rounds, the First Last Dance, or the Last First Dance, or an Ordination," the protracted title Byrne has cho- sen for her latest work, refers to the format of the in-the-round piece and to Byrne's long-standing in- terest in the sacraments. This church service, how- ever, moves to the thrashing rock of the band Hot Young Priest (led by Byrne's sister Mary), performed live. Thrusting, caressing, and climbing, the dancers turn a serious game of Twister into a visceral and polymorphous vision of spirituality. (Dance New Am- sterdam, 280 Broadway, at Chambers St. 212-279- 4200. Jan. 11-13 at 8 and Jan. 14 at 3.) LAURA PETERSON CHOREOGRAPHY "I Love Dan Flavin" is an homage both to the fluo- rescent -tube artist and to visions of technological utopia, circa 1980. As they impassively execute pre- cise patterns in chic tracksuits to recordings by the techno band Kraftwerk, the dancers resemble cat- walk models, a drill team of zombies, robots on the fritz. All this retro kitsch is delicious-if hard to take for forty-five minutes. (Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, near Houston St. 212-219-0736. Jan. 12- 13 at 8. Through Jan. 27.) 14 THE NEW YORKER, JANUARY 15, 2007 CLASSICAL MUSIC OPERA METROPOLITAN OPERA The Met begins an abbreviated week of perfor- mances with a revival of the durable Zeffirelli pro- duction of "La Traviata," with Hei-Kyung Hong, Wookyung Kim, and Charles Taylor in the leading roles; Carlo Rizzi conducts. (Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 at 8.) . Anna Netrebko, the starring attraction in Bel- lini's "I Puritani," may not have quite the silvery fioritura of such legends as Sills or Sutherland. But she remains the world's most thrilling soprano, sing- ing the role of Elvira Walton with honest feeling, an awesome dynamic range, and a command of legato phrasing that approaches the limits of human possi- bility. Also with Eric Cutler, Franco Vassallo, and John Relyea; Patrick Summers. (Jan. 11 at 7:30.) . Julie Taymor's entertaining production of "Die Zau- berflöte," in the complete German version, is per- formed with an impressive cast that includes Lisa Milne, Erika Miklósa, Matthew Polenzani, Rodion Pogossov (a winning Papageno), and Eike Wilm Schulte; James Levine, who likes to serve up Mo- zart rich and strong, conducts. (Jan. 12 at 8.) . Plá- cido Domingo takes the title role in the world- première performances of Tan Dun's "The First Emperor," an epic tale of ancient China directed by Zhang Yimou. Also with the estimable Elizabeth Futral, Paul Groves, and Michelle de Young; Tan, an experienced and incisive conductor, is on the po- dium. (Jan. 13 at 1:30.) (Metropolitan Opera House. 212-362-6000. Note: After the performance of Jan. 13, the company will be on hiatus until Jan. 22.) DICAPO OPERA New York's third professional company, which has been carrying a torch for Puccini this sea- son, offers a double bill of two of the compos- er's earliest extant works-"Le Villi," his first opera, and "Messa di Gloria," his only foray into sacred music-in danced versions staged by the choreographers Nilas Martins and Stephen Pier, respectively. (Dicapo Opera Theatre, 184 E. 76th St. 212-288-9438. Jan. 12-13 at 8 and Jan. 14 at 4.) ORCHESTRAS AND CHORUSES NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC Four decades ago, a fiery young cellist, Jacque- line du Pré, made her name with a stunning re- cording of the Elgar Cello Concerto. Now the young Alisa Weilerstein, another intense and per- suasive performer, takes up the mantle, offering the piece to Philharmonic audiences in a con- cert conducted by du Pres old friend Zubin Mehta, who also leads Bruckner's Symphony No.7. (Jan. 11 at 7:30 and Jan. 13 at 8.) . Lorin Maazel takes the reins in a one-time-only col- laborative concert with Symphonica Toscanini, an ensemble of young European musicians who have made Maazel their music director. The group will back the soprano Renée Fleming in arias by Puccini, Cilea, Bellini, and Rossini; the two ensembles join forces in what will surely be a powerhouse performance of Tchaikovsky's "Francesca da Rimini." (Jan. 16 at 7:30.) (Avery Fisher Hall. 212-875-5656.)